‘夸张’ (kuā zhāng) literally combines ‘夸’ (to praise or boast) and ‘张’ (to stretch or expand), together conveying the idea of stretching something beyond its true size, degree, or importance — that is, to exaggerate. It functions both as a verb (e.g., 他喜欢夸张) and as an adjective (e.g., 一个夸张的表情), describing speech, behavior, descriptions, or visual representations that are intentionally overstated for effect.

This word is commonly used in everyday conversation, storytelling, advertising, and media criticism. It often carries a neutral or slightly negative connotation — implying lack of accuracy — though it can be playful or artistic when used deliberately, such as in cartoons or satire. Unlike objective description, 夸张 emphasizes emotional impact over factual fidelity, making it especially frequent when expressing strong feelings like surprise, anger, or admiration.